Career Options in Indian Foreign Service (IFS)

The Indian Foreign Service (abbreviated as IFS) is the premier
diplomatic service of our country. It was in September 1946, on the eve of
India’s independence, the Government of India decided to create the Indian
Foreign Service for India’s diplomatic, consular and commercial representation
overseas. The first batch recruited under the combined Civil service examination
system of the Union Public Service Commission joined the service in 1948.The
Indian Foreign Service is a service under Grade A and Grade B of the Central
Civil Services of the executive branch of the Government of India. In other
words, it is part of the Central Civil Services of the Government of India. The
Foreign Secretary of India is the administrative head of the Indian Foreign
Service.

Members of the IFS, primarily represent the country in the international
arena. The Indian Foreign Service deals with the country's external affairs,
including diplomacy, trade and cultural relations. It is responsible for
the administration and activities of Indian missions abroad. IFS frames
and implements the Government's foreign policy. IFS officers are attached
to the Ministry of External Affairs and may be posted either in India
or abroad at any of the Indian Embassies or missions approximating 160
in number. Probationers at first work at the External Affairs Ministry,
then they are posted to the Indian Mission of a particular country, as
third secretaries.

The service offers vast exposure to the entrants as well a prime status as
representatives of the country. It is a high flying job, but entry to the
Foreign Service is tough and average intake is only 10 -15 persons annually.